Hi - my Octavia 2.0 tdi (remap to 190) dsg auto estate 2014 70k seems to struggle towing my 1100kg caravan. Any slight incline @ 57 mph puts the oil temp up to 140+. The coolant remains rock solid, and on the level the oil temp towing is around 130. Non towing its around 115.

I have had the intercooler changed, gearbox oil changed, also the oil temp sensor, but am lost as to why it seems to be running so hot when under load. Is this normal is my question? If not - any suggestions please

I have towed two differed caravans with it, so know that the caravan weight is around the 1100kg - yesterday it was 5c outside and still managed to hit 143C on the m4 at 57mph - not even a big incline

I think I read something before about an additional oil cooler being fitted from the factory with towbars. So if it’s a retrofitted towbar it likely won’t have one. Worth a google to check if one can be retrofitted?

8 minutes ago, T07 said:

I think I read something before about an additional oil cooler being fitted from the factory with towbars. So if it’s a retrofitted towbar it likely won’t have one. Worth a google to check if one can be retrofitted?

Ah really - thank you I didn't know that. Will check!!

Had same on old auto volvo. There was an extra oil cooler available but not fitted as it was aftermarket towbar. You may be able to upgrade the oil cooler fitted. Have seen some that state number of cooling ribs etc.

Alasdair

This will sort your issues. I'm going to put one on my 2017 Scout

https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/darkside-front-mounted-engine-oil-cooler-kit-for-2-0-tdi-mk7-platform-engines.html?srsltid=AfmBOooTcG9YpOyE_3U-_SL3TBUIkzojxJTmR30dsUUiOxA1pOhLMkmH

5 minutes ago, wildcard106 said:

This will sort your issues. I'm going to put one on my 2017 Scout

https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/darkside-front-mounted-engine-oil-cooler-kit-for-2-0-tdi-mk7-platform-engines.html?srsltid=AfmBOooTcG9YpOyE_3U-_SL3TBUIkzojxJTmR30dsUUiOxA1pOhLMkmH

Thank you. Are you experiencing similar issues?

On 19/02/2026 at 09:27, skr80a said:

Hi - my Octavia 2.0 tdi (remap to 190) dsg auto estate 2014 70k seems to struggle towing my 1100kg caravan. Any slight incline @ 57 mph puts the oil temp up to 140+. The coolant remains rock solid, and on the level the oil temp towing is around 130. Non towing its around 115.

oh dear - I think your vehicle needs the uprated radiator that is found on the TDI190's. The TDI150's got a smaller radiator and whilst it isn't a problem if you aren't towing, its becomes a problem that the extra heat generated from the engine cannot be cooled quick enough with the smaller rad.

Upgrade your cooling package to that of a TDI190 and your problems will go away. If you go for a towbar via Skoda, the installation costs include a new radiator for this precise issue.

Edited 20 February20 Feb by varaderoguy

20 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

oh dear - I think your vehicle needs the uprated radiator that is found on the TDI190's. The TDI150's got a smaller radiator and whilst it isn't a problem if you aren't towing, its becomes a problem that the extra heat generated from the engine cannot be cooled quick enough with the smaller rad.

Upgrade your cooling package to that of a TDI190 and your problems will go away. If you go for a towbar via Skoda, the installation costs include a new radiator for this precise issue.

Thank you. The coolant temperature seems rock solid

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

oh dear - I think your vehicle needs the uprated radiator that is found on the TDI190's. The TDI150's got a smaller radiator and whilst it isn't a problem if you aren't towing, its becomes a problem that the extra heat generated from the engine cannot be cooled quick enough with the smaller rad.

Upgrade your cooling package to that of a TDI190 and your problems will go away. If you go for a towbar via Skoda, the installation costs include a new radiator for this precise issue.

Thank you. Is that the coolant radiator, or the oil coolant, as the coolant temperature remains rock solid?

Have a look at the coolant package as a whole. I think the TDI190's have a larger cooler group in general - I know the coolant rad is larger and I suspect the oil cooler is also larger.

Another suggestion might be to check the oil cooler matrix is clear of debris - especially considering there does not appear to be a problem with coolant temperatures while towing.

https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/darkside-front-mounted-engine-oil-cooler-kit-for-2-0-tdi-mk7-platform-engines.html?srsltid=AfmBOoptdAo6924soJogjStMEQ__nO6uy9MJHxRr3ip4GMA8WlfWhXDz

Some good replies in here already.

IMO you are going to need to add a oil cooler very quickly. Those temps are not good.

You could try replacing the existing oil cooler but unless it is blocked, it will make no difference.

If uou monitor coolant temp with a diagnostic tool for temp 1 you will find it is increasing as well, but not as much as the oil temp.

The temp guage is always BS in terms of actual temps in recent VAG vehicles!!

These lovely comfort temperature gauges for more than 20 years now will read a rock steady 90C between 75C and 107C, your coolant might actually be up around 105C so worth checking it with a scan tool both with and without the towing load in case its something as simple as a thermostat.

Once you get a larger oil cooler/rad etc it may be adviseable to change oils as running at 140C I reckon will degrade it pretty quickly.

Alasdair

This is another reason the cooling package needs uprating:

Octavia 2.0 tdi (remap to 190)

So you're towing with what is effectively a 190TDI with the basic 150TDI cooling package.

34 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

This is another reason the cooling package needs uprating:

Octavia 2.0 tdi (remap to 190)

So you're towing with what is effectively a 190TDI with the basic 150TDI cooling package.

It was doing it before the remap - I had it remapped as I thought that the issue was insufficient power and strain on the engine...

42 minutes ago, skr80a said:

It was doing it before the remap - I had it remapped as I thought that the issue was insufficient power an

Remap only going to make it worse.

More power comes from more fuel being burned so more heat generated. Cannot make power without generating heat.

Id agree, need an upgraded cooling package if you want to work it hard.

Likely nothing wrong with current system other than its only designed for 150 HP.

The power required towing at 57MPH whether on the level or on a slight incline will be exactly the same whether the car is 150BHP or 190BHP, surely it doesn't require remotely like 150BHP at this relatively moderate speed?

1 hour ago, BlueWagon said:

Remap only going to make it worse.

More power comes from more fuel being burned so more heat generated. Cannot make power without generating heat.

Id agree, need an upgraded cooling package if you want to work it hard.

Likely nothing wrong with current system other than its only designed for 150 HP.

It wasnt working before when it was 150bhp towing the caravan though :(

On 22/02/2026 at 23:09, Johngerard said:

surely it doesn't require remotely like 150BHP at this relatively moderate speed?

True...but any remap will be injecting more fuel. Gonna get hotter not cooler, so remap only gonna make overheating worse.

On 22/02/2026 at 23:11, skr80a said:

wasnt working before when it was 150bhp towing the caravan though :(

Then fix cooling system, don't add more fuel by tuning for more power